Loire Valley predicts ‘excellent quality’ harvest

Published: 30 August, 2018

Interloire has predicted this year’s Loire Valley harvest will be of “excellent quality”.

Quality had been boosted by the sunny summer, said the trade body, adding volume estimates were also promising at around 2.5-2.6 million hectolitres, up from 2.1 million in 2017.

“The sunny weather is expected to continue, promising good quality and volume after two years of smaller crops, with grapes healthy thanks to the perfect summer weather,” said Interloire, adding the first grape samples collected in the Muscadet, Anjou Saumur and Touraine showed good ripeness levels.

Harvest first began on 27 August in Anjou Saumur and Touraine for early budding varieties such as pinot noir and chardonnay used in the production of Crémant de Loire or Rosé de Loire.

Harvest will begin early September in Muscadet, where winegrowers were “optimistic” and hoping for a normal crop after two small vintages, said Interloire, which brings together 3,000 winegrowers, producers and co-operatives and produce an average of 2 million hectolitre per year, equivalent to 270 million bottles and 80% of the total production of the Loire Valley.

A similar optimism prevailed in Anjou Saumur and Touraine where, after an early start with sparkling wine varieties, the harvest will continue with Sauvignon Blanc and then Gamay and Grolleau for Rosé d’Anjou and Rosé de Loire.

Chenin and Cabernet will follow two weeks later.

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